Where There's a Will...There's a Way

Looking at the bird feeder just outside my window...a small hole appeared overnight in the snow. I wondered who had visited...a rodent or a bird? Must have been a hearty creature in the below 0 weather last night.

Just minutes later my question was answered...a tiny snow bird (Junco) was sitting at his little spot... filling up his tummy.
I didn't clear the snow away yesterday and let the wind do my work for me. This is what was left of the snow at 4 pm yesterday.I didn't go out, because I knew that there were thousands of seeds just under that layer of snow. I feel that birds get a workout digging through a thin layer of snow and it's good for them.

What is going on under the 18 inches of snow on our ground. We know that snow cover is good for plants. When our snow is sparse in the winter...we have all kinds of problems with freezing and thawing..very hard on perennials and other plants

There are several children's books about what goes on under the snow. We are given a peak into that hidden world just below our feet, as we crunch across the snowy yard. There are so many little creatures taking a long winter nap. Insects like lady bugs are there, as well as our friends the chipmunks. Our garden visitor the snakes are sleeping cozily. Voles don't actually hibernate...They work at making tracks in the grass under the snow...eating as they go. Later on, when the snow is more sparce, we can see vole tracks in one area of our backyard. They don't cause us much trouble, so we have learned to live with these little guys.  Can't you just imagine these little fellows all curled up with their families...just waiting for spring as they breathe slowly.

 I just checked on the hole in the snow...on the bird feeder. Chickadees have arrived and are making the hole bigger. What a good workout for a tiny creature.By the end of the day, the snow will be gone off the feeder and I will venture out and refill it.
Balisha